For those interested, there is an outfitter in Ely with a couple of Savage River comoposite canoes in their livery this summer.  Williams & Hall Wilderness Guides and Outfitters on Moose Lake struck deal with Dave Diller at Savage River Boatworks at Canoecopia to stock some of their boats for rentals.  They do not have them listed on their website yet, so you have to call/email and ask.  The rate is $53 per day.  They have one 18' Blackhawk that lists at 34 pounds on the Savage River site.  The other one is a 16'6" Deep Creek model at 32 pounds.  That makes them around 25% lighter than a MinnII or a Spirit II of comparable size (42 lbs).  Rob Kesselring is a light weight proponent and has taken 23 BW/Q trips in his Deep Creek.  If you read the BWJ, you know he likes those canoes.  I thought some of the ultralight folks here would be interested to maybe try them out too.  Maybe someone going out this year would be interested?  Just don't look to reserve them between July 29 and August 7th..... ::)  If you're in the Quetico on those dates, you just might see me paddling stern in one of them.   8-)

pd